Sailing yacht Valiant etches its name in the Inaugural Cannes to Malta Race

Inaugural Cannes to Malta Race © Yacht Club de Cannes

The inaugural Cannes to Malta Race reached a memorable conclusion with Charlotte Rousselot's yacht Valiant crossing the finish line to mark a memorable first edition of this new offshore challenge, setting the benchmark time for future competitors.

The 606-nautical-mile course from Cannes to Malta offered a true test of skill and endurance. In Rousselot's own words, the crew faced: "patchy, light winds throughout, making tactical planning extremely challenging. The notorious Straits of Bonifacio lived up to their reputation, with shifting weather, strong currents, and numerous navigational obstacles adding to the complexity of the passage."

Rousselot and her team aboard Valiant demonstrated perseverance and seamanship, which made "reaching Malta after such a demanding passage was incredibly rewarding. This was offshore racing at its purest."

Valiant brings with her an impressive pedigree — formerly campaigned in the Admiral's Cup, the yacht has long been associated with high-level competition. By completing the course in fine form, Rousselot and her crew have set the first race record for the Cannes to Malta Race, a mark future editions will strive to surpass.

The Cannes to Malta Race was jointly organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC) and the Yacht Club de Cannes and is envisioned as a feeder race for yachts heading to Malta for the Rolex Middle Sea Race. The Race offers an ideal opportunity for crews to prepare their yachts while enjoying a competitive offshore challenge linking two iconic Mediterranean ports.

Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Mark Napier and Yacht Club de Cannes Commodore Jean-François Cutugno both expressed their satisfaction at seeing the concept successfully realised.

"This race represents an exciting new chapter in Mediterranean offshore sailing," said Napier. "It's a natural bridge between Cannes and Malta, bringing together passionate sailors and setting the stage for the Rolex Middle Sea Race."

"We're delighted to see the collaboration between our clubs take shape," added Cutugno. "It's the start of a new and promising adventure — one that we're confident will attract even more yachts in the coming years."

With Valiant establishing the inaugural race benchmark, both Clubs hope this first edition will serve as a foundation for growth, encouraging more international participation in the years ahead.

The race reinforces the Mediterranean's reputation as a premier sailing destination and highlights the enduring partnership between the Royal Malta Yacht Club and Yacht Club de Cannes.

Plans are already under way for the 2026 edition, which will start on the 5th October, with both Clubs eager to build on this debut Future editions aim to attract a larger fleet of international entries, offering sailors another exciting offshore challenge in the lead-up to the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The Cannes to Malta Race is sponsored by 20Twenty with principal support from Visit Malta and additional backing from Yachting Malta Ltd and Camilleri Marine.